Blog

Full Year 2012 - Youth

By: Jim Pivarnik, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Michigan State University and Member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition’s Science Board

A recent study in Pediatrics by Eisenberg et al. indicates that adolescent boys and girls self-report a number of "muscle-enhancing" behaviors. The authors cautioned that some of the behaviors, particularly those related to diet and steroid use are particularly troubling

By: Rachel K. Johnson, PhD, MPH, RD, Bickford Professor of Nutrition and Professor of Medicine at the University of Vermont and Member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition’s Science Board

This fall, school nutrition programs underwent major changes that improve the nutritional quality of school lunches nationwide. The media has been filled with stories about the new menus, which feature more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in items such as sweet potato fries, whole-wheat tortillas and black bean and corn salsa.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report that provides guidance on youth fitness measures as they relate to health outcomes. The report affirmed that fitness is a marker for health among youth and the use of certain measures in a school setting can enhance student learning and provide feedback on current health status and future health risk.

By: Dr. Jayne Greenberg, district director of physical education and health literacy for Miami-Dade County Public Schools (Fla.) and President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Council Member

More than two decades after its last update, the physical fitness test many of us did in school is getting a makeover. Just in time for the new school year, the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN) announced that the former Physical Fitness Test is now the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, and that it will focus primarily on assessing health versus athleticism for America’s youth.

Looking for ways to get your family moving? On June 10, Cartoon Network launched their national Move it Movement Tour, offering kids and families across the country an opportunity to try new activities and sports.